Thailand's main international airport has officially resumed full operations, two days after anti-government protesters left the site.
Thailand's main international airport has officially resumed full operations, two days after anti-government protesters left the site.
Flights have been leaving Suvarnabhumi since Wednesday, but thousands of passengers still face long delays as the backlog is cleared.
Flights have been leaving Suvarnabhumi since Wednesday, but thousands of passengers still face long delays as the backlog is cleared.
An airport spokeswoman said a flight to Moscow officially marked the resumption of full airport operations.
An airport spokeswoman said a flight to Moscow officially marked the resumption of full airport operations.
Meanwhile, Thailand celebrated its king's birthday amid political turmoil.
Meanwhile, Thailand celebrated its king's birthday amid political turmoil.
In an unexpected move, King Bhumibol Adulyadej did not give his traditional speech to the nation on Thursday, the eve of his 81st birthday.
In an unexpected move, King Bhumibol Adulyadej did not give his traditional speech to the nation on Thursday, the eve of his 81st birthday.
Crown Prince Varjiralongkorn went on the radio instead to say his father was a "little sick".
Crown Prince Varjiralongkorn went on the radio instead to say his father was a "little sick".
Thais had been looking forward to hearing from their much-loved monarch, who has long been looked to for guidance in times of turmoil.
Thais had been looking forward to hearing from their much-loved monarch, who has long been looked to for guidance in times of turmoil.
'Smooth resumption'
'Smooth resumption'
The most recent focus of that turmoil was two airports outside Bangkok, where anti-government protesters camped for more than a week to force the prime minister to resign, stranding thousands of travellers as all air traffic was stopped.
The most recent focus of that turmoil was two airports outside Bangkok, where anti-government protesters camped for more than a week to force the prime minister to resign, stranding thousands of travellers as all air traffic was stopped.
"Suvarnabhumi has officially resumed operations. All of the staff here are so happy to return to work," the Airports of Thailand spokeswoman said.
"Suvarnabhumi has officially resumed operations. All of the staff here are so happy to return to work," the Airports of Thailand spokeswoman said.
King Bhumibol is the world's longest-serving monarch"Thai Airways TG971 bound for Moscow officially marked the full and smooth resumption of the airport."
King Bhumibol is the world's longest-serving monarch"Thai Airways TG971 bound for Moscow officially marked the full and smooth resumption of the airport."
There were puppet shows and dance performances as Thailand tried to inject an air of celebration into the re-opening, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Bangkok.
There were puppet shows and dance performances as Thailand tried to inject an air of celebration into the re-opening, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Bangkok.
However, hundreds of passengers are still facing uncertainty about when they can return home as not all airlines are operating a full service.
However, hundreds of passengers are still facing uncertainty about when they can return home as not all airlines are operating a full service.
There are still a large number of cancelled flights and those that have been scheduled are very overbooked.
There are still a large number of cancelled flights and those that have been scheduled are very overbooked.
Some passengers are being told that it may take as much as another week before they can be guaranteed a seat.
Some passengers are being told that it may take as much as another week before they can be guaranteed a seat.
For the country, the crisis itself is very much unresolved, our correspondent adds.
For the country, the crisis itself is very much unresolved, our correspondent adds.
The political divisions that prompted the protesters to stage their week-long occupation of the terminal building remain as strong as ever, and Thailand is leaderless with no date set for the nomination of a new prime minister.
The political divisions that prompted the protesters to stage their week-long occupation of the terminal building remain as strong as ever, and Thailand is leaderless with no date set for the nomination of a new prime minister.
Thousands of protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) packed up their camps after a court on Tuesday dissolved the ruling party and forced the Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, out of office for electoral fraud.
Thousands of protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) packed up their camps after a court on Tuesday dissolved the ruling party and forced the Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, out of office for electoral fraud.
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